The home of Kurdish music
Kurdimusic documents the music of Kurdistan and its diaspora: the artists, the songs and their stories, the dengbêj tradition, the dances and the instruments. Written by people who love this music, in its own languages.
Where to start
Şivan Perwer
The most influential Kurdish voice of the modern era.
ArtistsŞakiro
Called the king of dengbêj: the most celebrated voice of the tradition.
ArtistsCiwan Haco
The pioneer who married Kurmancî song with jazz, rock and pop.
ArtistsMem Ararat
The quiet poet of today’s Kurmancî song.
ArtistsAynur
The voice that carried Kurdish song onto the world’s concert stages.
ArtistsHassan Zirak
The most prolific legend of Soranî song.
SongsEy Reqîb
The Kurdish national anthem, written by the poet Dildar in 1938.
SongsŞemmamê
One of the most widely known Kurdish folk songs.
SongsDelîlo
The best-known Kurdish circle-dance song and step.
SongsNarîm Narîm
A tender stran that found a massive new audience online.
Traditions
Dengbêj, govend, halparke, goranî and the instruments that carry them.
Dengbêj
The unaccompanied epic singing at the heart of Kurdish music.
Circle danceGovend
The Kurdish circle dance: community made visible.
Dance familyHalparke
The dance family of Başûr and Rojhilat.
Song traditionGoranî: the Soranî song
Goranî: the word for song in the Soranî-speaking world.
Instrument (frame drum)Erbane
The frame drum whose jingles carry Kurdish rhythm.
Instrument (long-necked lute)Tembûr
The long-necked lute of the Kurdish bard.
Instruments (shawm and drum)Zurna and def
The outdoor pair that no Kurdish wedding can do without.